This expanded version of our Invertebrate Diversity Lab takes that lab one step further: counting species and developing a diversity index for the target algae-covered rock and extrapolating the data to calculate a diversity index for Largo Sound. Students are introduced (or reminded of) the difference between richness and evenness in calculating diversity, and several different types of diversity indices and their applications are discussed. Students then count and collect the actual invertebrates on their rock, separating by species, and calculate the Simpson's Diversity Index for their rock. Student pairs report their results to the instructor, who then leads a discussion on the index's application in actual data collection, environmental variables that may affect the diversity of each rock, and the importance of sample size. Students record the index from each group; a Simpson's Diversity Index is derived for the entire session, and the instructor concludes with a discussion of why the index may be different, the negatives and positives of using diversity indices, and its applicability to other habitats. Depending on time and type of program, students may compute Simpson's Index in other marine habitats they visit during their program.

The AP version of the water quality lab will allow more advanced students to test for a wider range of parameters. This lab will provide AP students more insight on the abiotic conditions of various habitats, a more in-depth understanding of water quality parameters regularly measured in water quality studies, and give these students greater exposure to scientific tools used to test for water quality. As in our basic water quality lab, students will measure ammonia, temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. In adition, the AP water quality lab includes measurements for biological oxygen demand, nitrates, and phosphates. Prior to testing, students will review the concept of abiotic versus biotic parameters, descriptions of each water quality parameter, the units each parameter is measured in and background and instructions on how to use each testing instrument. All students will then get an opportunity to 'practice' using each instrument before bringing the equipment into the field for data collection. During field trips on the following days, water quality will be tested at a reef site and a bayside site. All water quality measurements will be entered into the online GLOBE database where the students' data, as well as other students' data throughout the world, can be accessed from any computer worldwide. MarineLab is in the process of acquiring more advanced meters and probes to use for water quality testing including a YSI 556MPS with probes for temperature, salinity/conductivity, DO, and pH. Water quality measurements collected in Florida Bay by AP level students are submitted to Dr. Joseph Boyer at Florida International University as part of an ongoing study conducted by the Southeast Environmental Research Center's Water Quality Monitoring Network.